WATER BAPTISM

Water Baptism is far more than a ritual or religious exercise. It is not only our personal choice, but it's a command for us as believers.  

Water Baptism is a public, outward declaration that reflects a personal, inward faith. It associates the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and signifies the believer's death to the old life and his or her resurrection as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1–8; Colossians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17). In order to understand the reason for being water baptised, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it.​

Please read the information below and if you have any questions please call the church office on (02) 6765 6694. If you wish to be baptised, you can sign up below. 

Because you want to follow Christ’s example. Jesus himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow. “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.” Mark 1:9

Because Christ commanded it. Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ. “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15; James 2:17-18)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Because it shows you are a believer. Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life (Hebrews 6:1-2).

Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning. It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead. 

“...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”  1 Corinthians 15:3,4 

“...having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12

 It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the ‘old life’ and we rise to walk in a ‘new life’. Baptism is like a wedding ring – it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

Yes! If each family member fully understands the meaning of baptism, and each one has personally placed his/her trust in Christ for salvation, we encourage families to be baptised at the same time.

"For when you were baptised, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ." Colossians 2:12

The pastor will introduce you and will give you an opportunity to tell a bit of your story of how you came to this decision to be baptised. You will be briefly prayed for and then lowered just under the water. You will then leave the water to get changed and watch the others being baptised.

• Swimmers, plain t-shirt and long pants or shorts

• Towel

• Plastic bag or something similar to take home your wet clothes

• Hairbrush/comb and hair dryer (if desired)

• Change of clothes (We encourage women to wear bathers with pants or shorts and a top over the bathers)

Sign Up online. You will receive a letter or a phone call to confirm the date and time of your baptism. If you do not receive any confirmation by the week the baptism is scheduled, you should contact the church office.